3 NY Mets who need a big series vs. the LA Dodgers to stop the noise from growing

The New York Mets vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers will always be a big series no matter the standings, the time of year, or location. At the moment, the Mets are in a dizzying spell where they’ve lost 5 straight and the last thing they needed was a West Coast trip to face the two-time defending champions.

This isn’t a Mets team where one or two things have gone wrong. Recent pitching struggles have cost them a few games. Mostly, it’s the hitting that has held them back. Boos have been commonly heard at Citi Field already and they’ve played just 9 games at home.

Yeah, things could be worse. They could also be much better. To avoid the ongoing noise and the LOLMets brewing nationwide, these three Mets need a big series against the Dodgers to calm everyone down and quiet the haters.

These three Mets need to show up in Hollywood

1) Francisco Lindor

You’d never know Francisco Lindor has a 4-game hitting streak. His story goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s making boneheaded plays in the field, on the bases, and failing to come up with the big hit. He’s the centerfold of what’s wrong with the Mets right now. Although the numbers aren’t quite as bad as some of his teammates, an MVP-caliber campaign is what fans have come to expect out of the star shortstop. A productive three games against the Dodgers and more importantly no mental mistake is what Lindor needs to show to avoid becoming the league’s most concerning player.

2) David Peterson

David Peterson will only get one chance to show us there’s more left in the tank. While plenty of others are up against the ropes, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos who could see their playing time reduce, Carson Benge who could receive a trip back to the minors, and Marcus Semien who’s becoming the next Roberto Alomar/Robinson Cano/Carlos Baerga, it’s Peterson whose role is most easy to change. Sean Manaea has pitched well in relief and would love to get back into the rotation. What’s stopping the Mets if Peterson struggles yet again? This could be Peterson’s last shot. Along with Manaea, the Mets have Tobias Myers making an early case to enter the starting five.

3) Carlos Mendoza

You can probably list out 20 players who need a big series. What about the skipper? Conversations about firing him have already occurred with an impatient fanbase that’ll only grow more eager for change if things don’t turn around when the Mets start regularly honoring the 1986 team. 40 years is a long time to wait. Carlos Mendoza is losing his defenders quickly. No explanation as to why things are going so poorly with many of the same token answers he has given in the past, smart decisions are what Mendoza needs out in LA this week. He’s on a lame duck contract and the longer the Mets hover around the .500 mark, the louder the noise will get.